CARIBOU — Despite the forecast of rain, close to 100 kids from Fort Kent to Woodstock, N.B. arrived in Caribou on Saturday morning for the sixth annual Aroostook Youth Ski Festival. A staple in northern Maine ski season, the AYSF is hosted and organized by the Northern Skiers Club of Caribou, with the goal to provide kids, ages 5 to 14, a chance to celebrate cross-country skiing, and introduce a variety of ways to have fun on cross-country skis.
Staff photo/Mark Putnam
Northern Skiers Club member Rob Kieffer of Caribou interviews Cole Edgecomb of Limestone at the starting gate of the downhill “radar run.”
This year participants enjoyed taking part in variety of activities including games, relays, a radar-run, scavenger hunts and the always popular “ski fun park” consisting of hoops, rollers, gates and jumps for all to enjoy. Young skiers also had the chance to interact with ski leaders representing local high school teams, the UMPI Nordic team and Maine Winter Sports Center’s elite Biathlon and Nordic teams.
The event culminated in snacks and prizes provided by the title sponsor of the event, the Cary Medical Center. In addition to Cary, organizers with the Northern Skiers Club wish to thank the Maine Winter Sports Center, and all of the wonderful volunteers and supporters of the festival.
The Aroostook Youth Ski Festival will be back again next year to provide another excellent day of fun on cross-country skis. Pictures and video of this year’s festival can be seen by visiting www.youthskifest.org.
Staff photo/Mark Putnam
Offering a much-needed pull back up the hill to his 4-year-old daughter Sofia is Andres Fleury of Caribou. The Fleurys were one of many families to take part Saturday in the Aroostook Youth Ski Festival, held at Caribou High School.
Staff photo/Mark Putnam
Six-year-old Elliott Sleeper surveys the layout during Caribou’s annual Aroostook Youth Ski Festival.
Staff photo/Mark Putnam
Jude Shea, 5, of Caribou keeps his center of balance close to the ground as he descends the hill during Saturday’s Aroostook Youth Ski Festival.
